10 MAG 2024 · In today's episode, we'll discuss the ripple effects of Jack Dorsey's departure from Bluesky and what it signifies for social media's future. We'll touch on Reddit's impressive user growth and revenue surge in the first quarter. Find out why Instagram is now edging out TikTok when it comes to video-based user acquisition. Learn about the new feature from Threads that lets creators see how many people are viewing their posts. And we'll delve into the startling report indicating that publisher referrals from Facebook have halved. Stay tuned for all this and more on Creator Daily. === Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter, now known as X, has confirmed his departure from Bluesky, a decentralized social media project. Dorsey, who still owns shares in Twitter, will no longer play an operative role in social media but remains committed to his other ventures. Notably, he will focus on Block, formerly Square, which includes a point-of-sale business and crypto-related bets, with a particular interest in Bitcoin's potential impact in Africa. Dorsey's management style has been criticized by former employees of Block and Twitter as detached, and some suggest that his leadership lacked strength and foresight. His departure symbolizes the end of an era; social media has evolved to take on more serious economic and social responsibilities requiring mature leadership—a contrast to Dorsey's unconventional style. Social media CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg and Evan Spiegel have evolved, reflecting the industry's growth into a legitimate business sector. While Dorsey has supported Elon Musk's involvement with Twitter and seems to align with Musk's critical view of the company's past management, his exit from Bluesky points to the significant changes in what social media once represented. It also emphasizes a point where idealism must meet the demands of capitalism, a junction where Dorsey has lingered for quite some time. With his latest move, he chooses a path that leans away from direct involvement in the industry he once helped shape, taking a backseat to focus on other interests. === It's been a significant quarter for Reddit as the company has just delivered its first quarterly performance update since becoming a publicly listed company. The platform is experiencing a surge in user engagement, hitting an all-time high with 82.7 million daily active users, marking a 37% increase from the previous year. Revenue-wise, things are looking up with a substantial 48% year-over-year increase, translating to $243 million for the quarter. However, it's worth noting that while daily active users have hit a peak, this doesn't necessarily represent the highest user activity Reddit has ever seen. In the past, around 2019, the monthly active users were reported at 430 million, which could suggest that daily active numbers had potentially been much higher at some point. But since Reddit has shifted its reporting standards to focus on daily metrics, this is the highest they've reported within that context. Despite these gains, not everything in the report is rosy. The bottom line shows Reddit operating at a $575 million loss, mainly attributed to increased costs from stock-based compensation and related taxes following its IPO. As Reddit continues to evolve, attracting more users and refining its revenue streams remains vital. The platform's international growth efforts and developments in ad options are proving to be key strategies in this effort. Reddit may also be benefitting from a user migration from X, as the platform becomes increasingly important for brand insights and genuine product discussions. Looking ahead, it's clear Reddit is on an upward trajectory, even considering the short-term financial setbacks. As they work towards restructuring their business for better revenue potential, the focus will be on how they can continue to draw in users and establish themselves more firmly in the competitive social media landscape. === Hey there! In a recent survey, Instagram has come out on top over TikTok as the platform of choice for video-based user acquisition among marketers. A whopping 79% of survey participants said they'd allocate at least three-quarters of their budget to Instagram when divvying up their user acquisition spend. TikTok landed the remaining quarter, despite 53% of those surveyed using both platforms in 2023. This preference may be due in part to Instagram's advertising ecosystem, which may be seen as more mature and accommodating to marketers. The survey, conducted by Zoomd prior to the U.S. Congress pushing TikTok to drop its Chinese ownership or face a ban, also brought some other interesting insights to light. For instance, half of the mobile marketers have leveraged artificial intelligence to boost their user acquisition campaigns. What's more, influencers and creators continue to be essential, with 56% employing them in 2023 for user acquisition – and swings towards greater investment in such content creators this year. The survey did highlight some challenges as well, particularly the struggle mobile marketers face with new privacy-driven tracking changes on iOS and Android. Only a small proportion are primarily using first-party data, but budgets for retargeting and retention campaigns are on the rise. It also painted an optimistic picture for user acquisition budgets, with over half the respondents looking to crank up their spending this year. Lastly, when it comes to making money from their apps, in-app purchases remain the most popular method among 81% of respondents. Close behind, half of the marketers utilize in-app advertising, and 38% depend on payments for downloads or subscriptions. So it seems, when it comes to user acquisition, Instagram still has that captivating pull for marketers. === Social media platform Threads has introduced view counts on individual posts, a feature similar to what Elon Musk's X rolled out back in 2022. Now, users on Threads can see how many times their posts have been viewed, which appears at the top when you tap on a thread. Adam Mosseri, the chief of Instagram and Threads, believes this provides crucial context for users trying to gauge their reach, beyond just likes and comments. However, while these stats could reassure users that their content isn't being hidden or restricted, it also poses a risk. There's a chance that you could see thousands have viewed your post, but none engaged with it, which may not be the motivational push some are hoping for. It's possible this could even dissuade users from posting if they observe high viewership but low engagement. The new feature is part of an ongoing trend in social media to provide more detailed analytics to users, especially those looking to enhance their visibility and content strategy. Even so, the impact of view counts on user behavior and content creation remains to be seen, as social media platforms continue to experiment with ways to increase user engagement and content sharing. === A new report released by Chartbeat and Similarweb indicates a significant drop in Facebook's referral traffic to publisher websites. The data, covering 792 news and media sites, shows a 50% decline in Facebook referrals over the past year, an ongoing trend that points to Meta's strategic shift away from news content. Since 2018, traffic from Facebook to news sites has plummeted by 58%, from 1.3 billion to just 561 million in the last month. This trend has particularly affected smaller media players, who have seen a substantial decrease in traffic from Facebook. Meta has been actively reducing news content in its apps, ending its Facebook News project in December last year and announcing a reduced reach for political content. The company is focusing on AI-recommended videos in user feeds instead, moving away from prioritizing user engagement metrics like comments and likes, and leaning more on time spent as a measure. This change is part of a broader strategy shift following public feedback suggesting a desire for less political content, a sentiment further reinforced after Mark Zuckerberg's Congressional hearings post-Capitol riots. By steering clear of news and political content, Meta aims to present a more positive user experience and decrease its regulatory scrutiny. For news publishers, the decline in Facebook referrals could be challenging financially, yet the shift might be beneficial overall for the state of social media. Meta's pivot reflects a broader industry movement to reduce the spread of misinformation and avoid politically charged content. The company's approach, mirrored in its new app Threads, focuses on upbeat and entertainment-based content, which seems to be resonating with users. Despite the challenges for publishers, Meta's transition might lead to a more positive and engaging experience for social media users overall. === That's a wrap on today's episode of Creator Daily. I'm your host, Michael, and it's been an absolute pleasure sharing the latest news, strategies, and trends from the creator landscape with you. Remember, if you want to dive deeper into any of the stories we talked about today, you can find all the juicy details waiting for you in the show notes. Links, resources, articles – it's all there to help you stay ahead of the curve. And hey, we're not just a voice in your headphones; we're a community. So if you've got thoughts, questions, or that lightbulb moment you're itching to share, don't hesitate to shoot us an email at creatordaily@podcraftr.com. We'd love to hear what's on your mind. Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to hit that subscribe button so you don't miss out on our next episode. Until then, keep creating, keep innovating, and keep being awesome. Catch you next time!

9 MAG 2024 · Today, we're diving into the crystal ball with 'TikTok Trends 2024: The Most Important Trends To Watch'. We'll look at how Meta is easing marketers into generative AI with innovative tools. Plus, we'll discuss Reddit's latest user and revenue surge in Q1. Don't miss our coverage on TikTok's upcoming webinar on campaign and creative optimization. And finally, we'll talk about TikTok's move to add an 'AI-generated' label to watermarked third-party content. Stay tuned! === If you're curious about what's happening on TikTok, you're not alone. TikTok has become a hotbed for trends and memes, influencing content across various platforms. Lately, there have been a few key trends that are catching users' attention. Firstly, there's the "Sad Hamster" meme, pairing an adorable hamster with a violin soundtrack that's perfect for expressing those overwhelming moments in life. Then there's the "All That Work And What Did It Get Me?" trend, where users lip-sync to a "Glee" song to share their frustrations over efforts that didn't pan out. We've also seen the "Gonna Be Okay" trend, where users give a sitcom-style chuckle to situations that turned out better than expected. And let's not forget about silent reviews and beginner-friendly tutorials that are becoming increasingly popular as informational content on the app. A big shift in TikTok is its evolution into an ecommerce platform. Many users now turn to TikTok for product reviews, with a survey showing that 65% look to content creators for recommendations. Additionally, with the launch of TikTok Shop in the U.S., direct purchasing within the app has become a reality. Niche communities also thrive on TikTok, using hashtags to connect over shared interests. And trends like "deinfluencing" are gaining traction, advising users on avoiding unnecessary spending – an interesting counter to the ecommerce push. If you're looking for relatable content, "staying delulu" could be your go-to, where users embrace their ambitious aspirations. For a dash of creativity, thrift-flipping showcases personal style through upcycled fashion. And the “Of Course” trend is perfect for a laugh, with users playing on group stereotypes. Yet, amidst the frenzy of fast-paced content, there’s a call for simpler, immersive visual content that provides a break from overstimulation. Lastly, TikTok’s Creative Center might just be the tool you need for inspiration, offering data on trending hashtags, songs, and videos. TikTok is reshaping the landscape of trending content, with new formats emerging at lightning speed. As a brand or creator, staying authentic and reacting quickly to trends is key to staying relevant and captivating your audience on TikTok. === Meta has rolled out new generative AI tools aimed at advertisers, addressing the need for more control and adherence to brand guidelines in the creative process. These tools, which include image and text generators, are designed to expedite the production of creative content while ensuring that the final outputs align with a brand's specific preferences. The image generator, which is initiated with assets provided by advertisers, allows for the creation of image variations to fit different scenarios. For example, advertisers can request an existing image of a cup of coffee set against a background of sunny farmland to be altered to depict the cup surrounded by coffee beans and lush leaves. Meta plans to introduce text prompt capabilities for the image generator in the future but there's no confirmed timeline for this yet. In addition to image generation, Meta is enhancing its AI-powered text generation by extending it to ad headlines. The update comes with feedback from advertisers aiming for more varied suggestions that better reflect their brand values and key selling points. Meta's AI advancements are part of its broader strategy to simplify and automate the ad creation process, freeing up time for strategic work and driving better ad performance. By the end of the year, these new AI features are expected to be available globally. Taking into account the complexities and ethical questions surrounding generative AI, such as the potential for bizarre outcomes and copyright issues, Meta is also planning to label AI-generated images. However, rules specific to advertisers are still under development. Political and social issues advertisers will not initially be allowed to use these AI tools, and while embracing AI advancements, Meta has no intention to prioritize AI-generated ads over human-created ones. The aim is to focus on performance metrics and the strength of ad auctions. Meta's introduction of these tools reflects an interest in making advanced AI accessible to all businesses, large and small, democratizing the advertising process through storytelling and creative expression. === In a notable first since going public, Reddit has announced some pretty positive numbers in its quarterly performance update. The platform hit a new milestone, soaring to 82.7 million daily active users – that's a hefty 37% jump from last year. But here's a bit of context: this might be a record based on the period they've been tracking and reporting daily active user stats, not necessarily an all-time platform high. A few years back, Reddit had claimed around 430 million monthly actives, which would suggest their daily user counts were much higher at some point. The company's revenue is looking up too, with a 48% year-over-year increase, clocking in at $243 million for the quarter. Advertisement revenue specifically rose by 39%. Despite these gains, Reddit's report isn't without its concerns. The costs spiraled, largely due to stock-based compensation and taxes linked to its IPO, resulting in a loss of $575 million. Yet, it's not all gloom. Reddit stressed on its record traffic in Q1 and boasted growth in both U.S. and international markets, where they've been making the platform more accessible with translation tools. Reddit is also doubling down on its appeal to advertisers, adding more ad options and leveraging its communities for genuine product insights – this could spell good news in driving brand value. But whether Reddit can keep this momentum going and become a more significant player in the social media landscape remains to be seen. For instance, it may benefit from users shifting from X. However, the key for Reddit now is to continue growing its user base and refining its business strategy. Despite the one-time cost increase, it appears Reddit is moving in the right direction. If you're looking to dive into the details, Reddit's Q1 2024 shareholder overview is readily available for a thorough read. === Are you ready to level up your TikTok marketing game? Well, TikTok has just the thing for you—a free marketing webinar diving into the nitty-gritty of content creation, production techniques, and campaign optimization. The session, aimed at small to medium-sized brands, promises actionable advice whether you're fresh on the TikTok scene or a seasoned pro at creator-led content. Mark your calendar for Thursday, May 16th, because that's when TikTok’s Creative Made Simple webinar is happening, offering insights from a team of TikTok experts. However, there's a little cloud of uncertainty hanging over as there's talk of a potential U.S. ban with the looming sell-off bill. Brands might be wary about investing heavily in their TikTok presence due to this uncertainty. But my take is, there's a chance that TikTok might stay put, either by challenging the bill or through some form of sell-off resolution, so don't write off TikTok from your marketing mix just yet. If your strategy allows for embracing TikTok's platform, this webinar could be your golden ticket. Ready to jump in? You can register for the webinar and bag a spot for learning some valuable TikTok tricks. === TikTok is raising the bar for transparency around AI-generated content by adding a special label to such posts. When images or videos created by artificial intelligence tools are uploaded to TikTok, they'll now sport an "AI-generated" tag. This makes TikTok the first social media platform to embrace the new Content Credentials metadata tags. Partnering with Adobe's Content Authenticity Initiative and the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, TikTok's move is aimed at giving users more insight into the origin of the content they're viewing. The platform is gradually rolling out this feature, starting with automatically tagging uploads that come with Content Credentials. They're also working on ensuring that content made with TikTok's AI effects will keep these tags, even if they're downloaded and shared elsewhere. This step toward transparency is part of a broader effort to provide clarity about the origins and makeup of content online. === That's a wrap on today's episode of Creator Daily. I'm your host, Michael, and it's been a pleasure bringing you the top news stories, latest strategies, and all the emerging trends in the creator space. Don't forget to check the show notes for links to everything we discussed today, as well as other resources that can help you stay on top of your creative game. If you've got questions, comments, or just want to share your creator journey, we're all ears. Shoot us an email at creatordaily@podcraftr.com – we love hearing from you, and who knows, your story might even be featured on a future episode!  Remember to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss out on valuable insights. And if you enjoyed today's episode, consider leaving us a review. It helps more creators like you find the show. Thanks for spending part of your day with us. Keep creating, stay inspired, and until next time, take care!

7 MAG 2024 · Today we'll dive into YouTube's latest test of an AI Ideas Generator designed to amplify your clip creativity. We'll look at Tubi's innovative approach, launching a 'fan-fueled' studio aiming to empower up-and-coming filmmakers. Wondering about TikTok's influence on shopping habits? We'll explore new insights on its impact in product discovery. And lastly, we'll discuss YouTube's expanded testing of the AI-driven 'Jump Ahead' feature, changing how viewers interact with video content. Stick around for these exciting updates! === YouTube is stepping up its game for content creators with the live test of a new AI-driven tool that provides ideas for new videos. If you've ever been stumped about what your next YouTube clip should be about, this tool could be a game-changer. You see, by using data on viewer trends, the AI suggests not only topics but offers full content outlines to help creators come up with their next viral hit. While the tool aims to tap into what viewers are looking for, there's a bit of concern it could lead to repetitive content, based on what's already popular rather than innovative ideas. Despite that, the potential for creators to engage with their audience by following trends is an exciting aspect of this feature. As of now, YouTube has rolled out this new feature to a select number of English-language channels, with plans for wider access in the future. So, keep an eye out creators, because it sounds like YouTube's new tool might just be the creative spark you've been looking for to craft your next sensational video. === Tubi is shaking things up in the world of streaming with the introduction of Stubios, a brand new 'fan-fueled' studio. This initiative isn't just for kicks; it's a real game-changer aimed at cultivating fresh talent in the filmmaking scene. Tubi has teamed up with Issa Rae's Color Creative to kickstart an incubation platform that's going to offer a ladder up to budding filmmakers trying to make a name for themselves. The heart of Stubios is all about collaboration. Filmmakers step into the ring with their visionary ideas and pitch them to an audience who gets to chip in with their level of interest. If their ideas hit the mark and fan support pours in, Tubi steps up and provides those creatives with the resources to move their ideas from mere concepts to actual production. Issa Rae is throwing her support behind this initiative, drawing on her experience mentoring participants on HBO's "Project Greenlight." Meanwhile, Tubi's CEO Anjali Sud is touting Stubios as a way to create culturally resonant films that speak directly to a diverse and youthful audience. By flipping the script on the traditional studio system where execs call all the shots, Stubios hands some of the reins over to online fan engagement to determine a project's fate. With Stubios, creators pitch directly to fans via the platform, and if the crowd is wild about it, Tubi provides the greenbacks for preproduction. It's a bit like crowdfunding, with a twist – creators can use polls to engage their supporters on key creative decisions along the way. Should a creator strike gold with their first project meeting specific engagement and viewing targets, they're guaranteed an automatic go-ahead for their next venture. Beyond just getting their work out there, creators under Stubios earn a flat fee for their original intellectual property, rake in an executive producer credit and fee, and nab additional fees if they take on deeper roles in their projects, like acting or producing music. Already, Tubi has shortlisted three creatives for the inaugural run of Stubios, with rapper Lady London set to produce a docuseries about the launch of her debut album. But Tubi's catching on to something more – the behind-the-scenes action is just as much of a draw. Tubi's Nicole Parlapiano has highlighted how videos detailing the making of a film can sometimes pull in more eyeballs than the finished film or its trailer. Thus, Stubios is also cleverly providing a behind-the-scenes look at the creative journey. Despite the potential pitfalls of public feedback in an often volatile online world, Tubi is confident in its community management and the design of Stubios to navigate these waters. The focus is on young creatives who have yet to have their shot and are building their communities on social media. Prepare to see some Stubios projects hitting screens later this year as Tubi tests the waters of this fan-driven incubator model that's all about pushing the boundaries of storytelling while amplifying the voices of the next generation of filmmakers. === In the face of questions about its future, TikTok has released some compelling data highlighting the platform's influence on product discovery. A study by Material, in partnership with TikTok, demonstrates that a whopping 61% of the app's users find new brands and products while scrolling through their feeds — that's 1.5 times more product discovery happening on TikTok compared to other social media platforms. But TikTok isn't just where people find new products; it has also become a habitual search destination. The platform claims users don't just passively watch content; they actively seek out more related content, turning to TikTok as their go-to for not just entertainment but also for search needs. Moreover, when compared to other platforms, users find TikTok searches to be more entertaining, authentic, and concise. And if you're wondering about conversion rates, listen to this: 91% of users who were inspired by something they searched for on TikTok followed through with the related action. This information is particularly relevant as prospective American buyers eye TikTok, which is currently under pressure likely to sell off its operations due to its Chinese ownership. The value of TikTok’s intuitive algorithm is becoming more apparent as it plays a pivotal role in keeping users engaged — by curating content, including products that align with users’ preferences. Any potential buyer of the app is likely to insist that this algorithm be part of the package deal. So, what's the bottom line here? As TikTok’s younger audience matures, there's a clear opportunity for brands to align their strategies with where consumers are increasingly turning their attention. Companies keen to stay ahead of the curve will need to consider how they can leverage TikTok, not just for ads, but as a tool for product discovery and search. === YouTube is taking a bigger leap into AI with the expansion of its Jump Ahead feature. The AI-powered option is designed to let viewers skip right to the most engaging parts of a video. It uses machine learning to analyze which parts of a video are the most watched and then highlights these sections so viewers can jump straight to them. Originally tested with a small group of YouTube Premium subscribers, this feature is now rolling out to all Premium users in the United States. The way it works is quite user-friendly: if you're watching a video and start double-tapping to skip ahead, YouTube will present you with a 'Jump Ahead' button. This is meant to help you reach the parts of the video that have gathered more interest, without having to watch the entire thing from start to finish. While it's a relatively simple application of AI, it could be particularly useful for educational content or long-form videos, allowing users to efficiently access the most relevant sections. Content creators can also gain insights from it by observing which parts of their videos are being jumped to the most. As of now, YouTube hasn't specified if or when this feature will be available to all users beyond Premium subscribers, but it's clear that they are continuing to explore ways to enhance video viewing with the help of AI. === That's a wrap on today's episode of Creator Daily. I'm your host, Michael, and I just want to say thank you for tuning in. We covered a lot today, and I hope you found it as enlightening as I did. Remember, you can check the show notes for links and more information on all the topics we discussed. And hey, if you have a minute, why not shoot us an email with your thoughts, or tell us what you'd like to hear about in future episodes? Just drop us a line at creatordaily@podcraftr.com. We really do love hearing from you – it's your insights and ideas that help make this community so special. Don't forget to hit that subscribe button, leave a review if you enjoyed the show, and share it with your fellow creators who might benefit from our discussions. Until next time, keep creating, keep innovating, and remember – you're the heartbeat of this incredible creator landscape. Catch you on the next episode of Creator Daily. Take care! = = = =

6 MAG 2024 · In today's episode, we'll dive into how TikTok and Universal Music Group have finally settled their differences with a fresh contract. Then, we'll explore how Kajabi is empowering creators by enabling them to create their own branded apps. Don't miss our coverage on Instagram's new interactive stickers designed to make Stories even more engaging. We’ll also discuss X's latest feature for premium subscribers - AI-generated news summaries to keep you informed at a glance. Lastly, we'll look into how Threads is boosting user control with the new option to manage who can quote their posts. Stick around for all this and more on Creator Daily. Universal Music Group and TikTok have just turned a new page in their relationship. After a bit of a tiff, which saw UMG pulling its music from TikTok when their contract ran out in early February, the two have reached a new "multi-dimensional" agreement. Music from UMG's powerhouse lineup, including stars like Taylor Swift, Drake, and Olivia Rodrigo, is set to make a comeback to the app and its massive user base. What stands out in this deal is the emphasis on safeguarding artists in the age of generative AI. Both TikTok and UMG are putting their heads together to protect the rights of artists and songwriters while ensuring that AI's evolution in the music industry doesn't trample human artistry. That means keeping AI-generated music that's unauthorized off the app and even rolling out improved attribution for artists and songwriters. In the words of TikTok's Global Head of Music Business Development, Ole Obermann, the collaboration aims to responsibly develop AI tools. This partnership is not just about protecting creativity, it's also about embracing it, with new ways to monetize content tied to TikTok's e-commerce scene. The platform is also committed to enhancing the artist toolkit with better analytics and seamless ticket integration. The teams are working hard and fast to make sure your favorite artists are back on TikTok. Given that the app has more than a billion users, this spells not just a truce, but potentially a whole new frontier for artist and fan engagement on TikTok. Kajabi, known for enabling content creators to sell online courses, is stepping up its game by launching a new no-code solution that allows users to create their own branded mobile apps. This new offering puts the power in the hands of creators, letting them customize their app's appearance and content, from the icon to the layout, and even the push notifications. It’s an extension of their current mobile app capabilities, but with this update, creators get to craft a more personalized user experience. With feedback that suggested a strong desire for branded apps among its user base, Kajabi took note—62% of creators felt a branded app was key to their business, and more than half were ready to spend up to $100 a month for one. After beta testing with over 800 users, it's now available to all Kajabi customers. What makes Kajabi's app service particularly enticing is its affordability and efficiency. Traditional app development can be a long, costly journey—often taking six months and running upwards of $60,000. Kajabi condenses this into a matter of weeks, at a fraction of the cost, sparing creators the risk of heavy investments that might not pay off, as was testified by nutritionist Raquel Britzke, who had a less-than-satisfactory experience developing her own app before switching to Kajabi. However, it's not all smooth sailing—building a branded app with Kajabi is still a commitment, available only to creators on the platform at an extra cost of $89 to $199 per month, depending on the plan. These costs come on top of Kajabi's existing subscription fees.—and there’s the additional cut that Apple and Google take from in-app purchases. As Kajabi competes in the no-code space with the likes of Wix and Thinkific, the platform plans to evolve by adding community and coaching products, along with other features like offline viewing and interactive quizzes. And for those nervous about coding, no worries—Kajabi doesn’t require any. It's all part of their mission to help creators turn their knowledge into commerce, all through a branded experience that looks and feels uniquely their own. Instagram's rolling out some new features for Stories, including a couple of pretty interactive stickers to mix things up. First up, there's this 'Reveal' sticker. Put that on your story and it blurs everything out. If your friends want to see what's behind the blur, they'll have to send you a direct message. This move plays right into Instagram boss Adam Mosseri's vision. He's been saying for a while now that private messages and Stories are where Instagram's seeing the most action. And it looks like this feature is expected to be a hit with creators to get more engagement on their posts. Then there's the 'Frames' sticker. It gives your images that good old Polaroid feel — starts off in a gray scale, shake your phone, and the photo pops up. Funny thing is, shaking's not really recommended for actual Polaroids, but hey, this is the digital world. They first showed off this feature at Coachella. They've also got a new thing called 'Add Yours Music'. It's a music-based template allowing you to attach songs to your stories with prompts like 'your favorite track from this album' or 'one song you'd listen to for the rest of your life'. Instagram’s really pushing for more original content lately. Just earlier this week, they announced they'd be downplaying reposted or aggregated content over fresh, original posts in their recommendations. And for creators, there's a bit of unease because, despite wanting original content, Instagram is putting more weight on recommended content from accounts even if you don't follow them. So, with these additions, Instagram's clearly aiming to keep its platform fresh and engaging for both everyday users and creators alike. The social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has rolled out a new feature for its premium subscribers: AI-generated news summaries. These summaries are crafted by X's Grok AI engine, which scans posts on the platform to create real-time overviews of the current trending conversations. This means that subscribers can get a succinct digest of what people are talking about without needing to sift through a stream of posts or click through to a website for a deeper read.  While this could be convenient, there are some potential pitfalls to be aware of. For starters, the summaries rely solely on X posts, raising concerns about the accuracy of the information and the AI's capability to interpret nuances like sarcasm. There have already been instances where Grok AI has misinterpreted posts, leading to incorrect or misleading summaries. Furthermore, by keeping users engaged directly within X's ecosystem with in-stream articles and long-form posts, and altering the appearance of link previews to make them less prominent, there's a risk that news publishers could see a decline in traffic driven from X. Considering that news publishers are a significant source of the content on X, if they decide to pull away from the platform, it could impact the variety and vibrancy of the discussions on X.  This is especially concerning given that a majority of X users are passive consumers of content, with only 20% of the user base actively creating posts. The concern is if news outlets reduce their presence on X, these passive users might start looking elsewhere for content.  Elon Musk, the owner of X, is championing AI as a way to improve user experience on the platform. Still, the success of AI-generated story summaries remains to be seen as they now become available to all premium subscribers of X. Hey, have you heard about the latest update from Threads? They've just rolled out a new feature that lets you control who can quote your posts. Now, when you tap on the options menu of any Threads post, you'll see a "Who can reply and quote" option. You can pick from three options - "Anyone", "Profiles you follow", or "Mentioned only". This is a bit more advanced than what X offers. On X, users can limit who can reply to their posts, but there isn't a way to control who can quote them. Threads' chief, Adam Mosseri, announced this update hoping that it would contribute to a more positive space and give users more control over their experience. The feature rolls out after some users already had a sneak peek during the early access phase. But now, it's available for all. Besides this, Threads has introduced other tools to help you manage your in-app interactions. You can hide replies, mute specific words, phrases, numbers, and emojis, and mute notifications from interactions on your posts. All these updates align with a broader push to make Threads a go-to app for positive interactions, especially as social conversations increasingly move into private spaces to avoid negative public interactions. So, if you're someone who values control over your social media presence, this update from Threads might be right up your alley. It's all about making the digital space a little friendlier and giving you the reins when it comes to engagement. Keep your eyes open for these new options on your Threads app! That's a wrap on today's episode of Creator Daily. I'm your host, Michael, and it's been a total blast bringing you the latest and greatest from the ever-evolving world of content creation. Remember, if you're itching to dive deeper into any of the stories we chatted about today, you can find all those juicy links and resources right in the show notes.  Got thoughts, quest

3 MAG 2024 · Welcome to another episode of Creator Daily - I'm your host Michael, covering the top news stories, latest strategies, and emerging trends in the overall creator landscape. Today, we'll dive into Instagram's latest update where the original content shines over copied material. We'll also discuss the staffing challenges X is facing with its moderation team compared to its peers. Plus, we're breaking down TikTok's new report on the expansion of TikTok Shops, and we'll explore how TikTok is cleverly bypassing those hefty App Store commissions. Stick around for all this and more, right here on Creator Daily! Instagram is rolling out a new algorithm tweak that will shake up the way content is recommended to users. The platform is cracking down on aggregator accounts—these are the accounts that repost content from other creators without creating or enhancing it significantly. The change means that if an aggregator account reposts content more than ten times in a thirty-day period without materially adding to it, they'll be removed from Instagram's recommendations. But here's the interesting bit: Instagram will be replacing these reposts with the original creator's post in recommendation spaces, giving credit to where it's due. However, this only happens if the original content is fairly new and the system is sure both posts are identical. Also, creators will even get notified when their post replaces a repost in recommendations. To support smaller creators, Instagram is changing up the recommendation system. It'll test content with a small audience first and if it performs well, it'll show it to more users, regardless of how big the original creator's following is. This gives every creator an equal shot at going viral, similar to TikTok's appeal. These updates are part of Instagram's broader shift towards prioritizing Reels and other recommended content, which has been a topic of discussion among creators who fear their content isn't reaching their followers. Instagram hopes these changes will level the playing field and give more attention to original content. The rollout is expected to happen over the next few months, so creators and users alike should keep their eyes peeled for these changes. Recent European Union transparency reports reveal that the social media platform X now has significantly fewer moderation staff compared to other social media networks. This is following a massive reduction in staff, where X cut about 80% of its employees in 2022. The reports provided by the E.U. under the Digital Services Act allow for comparisons in terms of the ratio between moderation staff and users for each major social app. X is at the bottom with one moderator for every 60,249 users. For context, LinkedIn has a ratio of 1 to 41,652, TikTok is at 1 to 22,586, and Meta, which includes both Instagram and Facebook, has a ratio of 1 to 17,600. However, these figures aren't entirely straightforward. For instance, Meta's number might effectively be doubled since the reported 15,000 content reviewers work across both Facebook and Instagram, each with 260 million E.U. users. Still, even with that adjustment, Meta's ratio would be more favorable than X's. Also, unlike other platforms, X's user count includes logged-out guests, but their ability to view content is less than logged-in users on other platforms, so this may not be a significant factor. Moreover, it's not entirely clear how many moderators are designated for E.U. concerns for each platform. Examining X's overall global user base, the moderation workforce to user ratio becomes one moderator for every 297,458 users, if all 1,849 moderators are taken into account. In comparison, even with all of Meta's reported 3 billion users, the ratio remains 1 to 200,000, without including the additional 25,000 people tasked with safety and security. This marked reduction in manual moderation at X has concerned various online safety experts, who often criticize the platform's "Community Notes" crowd-sourced fact-checking program as an inadequate safety measure. Moreover, despite X's intention to build a new moderation center in Texas, no significant updates have been made on the progress since the initial announcement. These data points highlight potential weaknesses in X's content moderation system, which may have implications for its capacity to detect and enforce rules against violative content, as also indicated by third-party reports of more rule-breaking content visible on the platform. X's latest E.U. report, along with those of other platforms, offer important insights into the current moderation landscape of social media. TikTok has released a report detailing the progress of its shopping marketplace and its safety measures. The report emphasizes TikTok Shop's aim to create a new shopping culture based on discovery and connection between sellers, creators, and the TikTok community. Starting in Southeast Asia and expanding to the UK and recently the US in 2023, TikTok Shop has grown to over 15 million sellers globally. A focus on safety and authenticity, TikTok requires sellers to provide documentation for identity, business type, and eligibility verification. Newly approved sellers undergo a probation period to learn platform rules. TikTok has also been stringent with policy enforcement, preventing the listing of 37 million products that breached policies, removing 133,000 individual products post-listing, deactivating accounts of over a million sellers, and stripping eCommerce features from half a million creators due to violations. Despite these efforts, TikTok's shopping expansion faces hesitancy from brands, primarily due to uncertainty surrounding the U.S. TikTok sell-off bill. The bill, which could potentially result in TikTok being sold to a U.S. company or being banned from the American market, has caused brands to reconsider their reliance on the app, taking into account the implications of U.S. restrictions and possible similar actions in other regions. While TikTok shows growth in its Asian markets, confidence in its commerce tools might be challenged by the unfolding political and regulatory landscape. However, for those interested, TikTok’s full report is available for further insight into its shopping platform's growth and future potential. TikTok is making some intriguing moves that skirt around App Store guidelines in a way that may remind you of the Epic Games versus Apple saga. Here’s the scoop: It appears that select TikTok users are being nudged within the app to purchase TikTok coins, but not just anywhere—they're being sent to TikTok's own website. This maneuver allows users to sidestep the hefty 30 percent commission Apple would normally take from such in-app purchases. David Tesler, the co-founder of the Sendit app, has highlighted instances where iOS users were encouraged to "recharge" their TikTok coins directly on TikTok.com. This comes with a price incentive, as users are informed they could save around 25 percent by avoiding in-app service fees. This isn't a subtle hint; it's pretty straightforward, but it seems to be targeted at users who spend more on the app as the screenshots came from an account that had bought a significant amount of TikTok coins in the past. This practice raises eyebrows because TikTok does list coins for sale in the App Store amongst other places, and offers in-app purchases—a scenario that does not align with Apple's ground rules for using such External Link Entitlements. Remember, back in 2022, Apple allowed select 'reader' apps to use such links for account management, but not apps that have in-app purchases like TikTok. Where does this leave TikTok in relation to Apple's policies? Well, TikTok hasn't made any official comment about this feature on its support page, and neither has Apple issued any statement in response as yet. Given Apple's history of prompt action when it comes to such breaches, this is somewhat surprising. The consequences for TikTok, with its massive user base, of being removed from the App Store could be significant for both parties, hinting at why no action has been taken. It's a bit of a high-stakes dance around the rules, showing that the tension between app developers and the financial models enforced by platform holders like Apple is still very much an ongoing issue. That's a wrap on today's episode of Creator Daily. I'm your host, Michael, and I hope you've enjoyed our dive into the latest strategies and trends shaking up the creator landscape. Don't forget to peek at the show notes for all the juicy links and detailed info we chatted about today. Got thoughts, questions, or a story you're itching to share? Shoot us an email at creatordaily@podcraftr.com. We love hearing from you and who knows? Your insights might just spark our next big discussion.  Until next time, keep creating, keep innovating, and stay connected. Remember, this community thrives on sharing and support, so spread the word about Creator Daily to fellow creators. Hit that subscribe button if you haven't already, drop us a review if you're feeling generous, and hey, give us a follow on our socials for all the behind-the-scenes fun.  Thanks for tuning in, and we'll catch you on the next episode. Keep crafting your dreams into reality!

29 APR 2024 · In today's episode, we'll discuss TikTok's legal fight against a potential ban in the US, and how they're not taking it lying down. Then, we'll look at how Meta's betting big on AI after posting some solid growth numbers. We'll also touch on Snapchat's continued success with user growth and revenue. Plus, we're diving into how YouTube Shorts is driving a major lift in ad revenue. And finally, we'll explore why Meta is dishing out bonuses to influencers for using Threads.

25 APR 2024 · Today we're diving into the implications of President Biden's signature on a bill that commences the process for ByteDance to divest TikTok. We'll explore how Reddit is revamping its app with a spotlight on comments. TikTok's decision to halt their incentive for daily video views is also on our discussion list, along with the growth of Threads, which is boasting a whopping 150 million monthly active users. And finally, we'll touch on strategies for staying pertinent in the rapidly evolving AI-centric world. So buckle up for a content-rich ride through the dynamic terrain of digital creation. Let's get started!

24 APR 2024 · Today we're diving into X's big move to enter your living room with a brand new TV app for video content. We'll also touch on Instagram's latest feature rollout that gives more control and earning potential to creators through subscriptions. We'll glance at how Snapchat is gearing up for the 2024 Election with new civic engagement tools. Then, a heartwarming tale as Nigerian chess phenom Tunde Onakoya turns a 60-hour chess marathon into a fundraising success. And finally, we're discussing the implications of the Senate's decision to ban TikTok as the bill heads to President Biden. Stay tuned for all these stories and the insights they bring on today's episode of Creator Daily!

23 APR 2024 · In today's episode, we'll be discussing how Discord's CEO, Jason Citron, envisions a more intimate internet experience. We'll also dive into how Taylor Swift is shaking up TikTok with her 'The Tortured Poets Department', in spite of an ongoing dispute with UMG. Plus, we'll talk about Instagram's new subscription options for creators, TikTok's launch of a new STEM content competition aimed at fuelling education, and we'll wrap up with the latest YouTube updates, including shopping features, creator tools, and how they're handling AI disclosure. Stay tuned!

22 APR 2024 · Welcome to another episode of Creator Daily - I'm your host Michael, covering the top news stories, latest strategies, and emerging trends in the overall creator landscape. Today we're diving into the House's latest move to pass a 'TikTok ban', now heading to the Senate. We'll also talk about the Twitter alternative, Post News, announcing its shutdown. X is shaking things up with a new, AI-driven ad set-up to simplify marketing. Walmart+ is getting creative, bringing in celebrity moms to tackle TikTok questions for Mother’s Day. And we'll give a quick look at Search Engine Journal's list of the Top 30 Social Media Influencers around the globe. Stay tuned for all this on Creator Daily.